Gwinnett commissioners mull use of eminent domain to acquire land for park

Gwinnett commissioners are considering using eminent domain — where a government takes over private property in exchange for fair market compensation — to potentially build a park in Lawrenceville.

The property in question — two parcels totaling 44.52 acres owned by the Dillard Worthington Corporation — is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Old Norcross Road, according to county documents.

Commissioners have tabled the issue for two consecutive meetings, and it's expected to come back up for discussion on Aug. 22.

The new park would be called Discovery High School Cluster Park.

County attorneys are considering the use of the "special master" method of eminent domain, where the county would serve as a "condemning body" under Georgia law to acquire the property.